Breast cancer myths squashed

A lump may not be the only reason for concern. And is a mastectomy always better than a lumpectomy? There's a lot of information out there about breast cancer, but consider this: much of what you know may not be fact at all. Kathy Connell was shocked five years ago when she learned she had breast cancer.

"The first thing that came to my mind was that they made a mistake," said Connell.

The last myth that's vital to dispel is that breast cancer always shows up as a lump.

"Really, most breast cancers probably aren't preceded by a lump," said Dr. Shachner.

You should check for lumps but also look for redness, swelling, dimpling, nipple pain or skin thickening. Kathy did feel a lump, and it saved her life.

"If I hadn't found my cancer when I did, I would be living a very different story," said Connell.

Today, she's happy to say that she is cancer free.

The American Cancer Society recommends a clinical breast exam, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over. Also, yearly mammograms starting at age 40. Women at higher risk should get an MRI and a mammogram every year.